Keith in the 'zone' under Quenneville's system

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The changes Joel Quenneville has made since taking over as coach from Denis Savard have been subtle, but it's hard to argue with the results.

The Blackhawks were 16-4-6 under Quenneville heading into Saturday's game against the Canucks at GM Place.

While the offense has been getting much of the attention, the Hawks have become a very good defensive team led by goalies Nikolai Khabibulin and Cristobal Huet and defenseman Duncan Keith.

The Hawks' 2.48 team goals-against average ranked sixth in the NHL before Saturday's games.

Keith was plus-17 going into the Canucks game and playing his best hockey of the season after struggling a big early with Quenneville's system that calls for zone coverage for the defenseman instead of the man-to-man Savard employed.

"I think that little adjustment from playing the way they did to the way we play now, he's handled it very well," Quenneville said. "Playing the other way, you're first reaction is, 'Where's my man?' It's a tough habit to break."

Waiting for Sundin: Mats Sundin said his decision to sign with the Canucks over the Rangers or any other team, the Hawks included, came down to the fact Vancouver had salary-cap space and nobody needed to be moved off the roster.

Had Sundin signed with the Hawks, at least one player would have had to go, possibly Nikolai Khabibulin or Martin Havlat.

"Those are things that affect the dressing room," Sundin said. "The other players are in midseason form. I'm happy about the fact there were no (Canucks) players moved."

Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis downplayed the suggestion that the addition of Sundin makes the Canucks a serious Stanley Cup threat.

"I don't think I would be comfortable calling any team a contender other than San Jose and Detroit," Gillis said.

Raising Kane: Patrick Kane's goal at Calgary gave him points in 24 of the Hawks' 30 games.

Kane hasn't gone more than one game without getting either a goal or assist.

"Kaner seems to find seems and lanes better than anybody," Joel Quenneville said. "With his play selection and passing, he can really see the ice."

Quenneville compared Kane's playmaking and vision to one of his former players, Peter Forsberg.

"Forsberg's bigger, but they do a lot of the same things offensively," Quenneville said.

Tip-ins: James Wisniewski was a scratch Saturday because the Hawks didn't want to play him in back-to-back games. Wisniewski just returned this week from knee surgery. ... Brent Sopel took Wisniewski's spot in the lineup. ... The Canucks have been without Robert Luongo for the last four weeks with a groin strain and it could be four more weeks until he plays again. ... The Hawks will practice today and Monday then get Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday off for Christmas.